This site is
especially for birdwatchers and for those with an interest in the
bird life of the Isle of Mull and the surrounding islands of Argyll.My aim is to share and help
visitors and Muileachs to enjoy the many birds we have on the Isle of Mull
and to keep up to date information on where to see birds at different times
of the year, especially any rare or unusual visitors to the island.In June & July there
are carpets of wild Orchids to be enjoyed including, Fragrant Orchid, Lesser
& Greater Butterfly Orchid and many others. There are rare Marsh Fritillary
butterflies to be found, Scotch Argus and others.The Isle of Mull is a favourite
place for bird watchers and has a large list of regularly seen species
including many breeding raptors as well as rare and endangered birds. Some
magnificent birds choose to over winter around the shores of Mull. Great
Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe are regularly seen in summer plumage
in early winter and late spring.

Rare birds 'visiting our shores
include, from Europe, a EuropeanRoller in Glen Aros in June
2011,
the first record for Mull. A Wryneck in August 2011 at Haunn, Our
third record. Two Bee-eaters at Calagry (May 2010),
and from north America, drake Surf Scoter on Loch na Keal (May 2015)
, Pied billed Grebe in Salen Bay, (April
2011).
drake
Blue winged Teal at Killiechronan (2010), Sabines Gull in May
2011 and Red necked Phalarope (a first record for Mull) at Killiechronan
in May 2011.
Pectoral
Sandpiper and Buff breasted Sandpiper at Fidden in May 2011.
(yet another first for Mull)In October 2004
a Ross's Gull was watched for half an hour at Fidden by myself
and a couple of friends. September 2005
An American Golden Plover at Loch Beg (a first record for Mull)
and Little Gull at Loch na Keal in February. A Forsters Tern spent
2 days in Oban harbour January 2003,
and Ring billed Gulls also in Oban harbour. King Eider in Tobermory
harbour. We had a Crested Tit feeding in a Tobermory garden. (a
first record for Mull) Birds can turn up at any time and in any place.

Common Rosefinch 29th May 2013. Phil MaDermott

In 2008
we had Rose Coloured Starling at Dervaig and Bunessan, and in April
2008 we had the first ever Nuthatch visiting a garden at Calgary
Returning Nightjar at Balmeanach, Cory's Shearwater in the Sound
of Mull, a White billed Diver on Loch na Keal. In May 2009
an Ortolan Bunting was briely at Craignure, (first record for Mull,
indeed for Argyll) also in May a Common Rosefinch visited
Kellan Mill by Loch na Keal, and Lesser Whitethroat at Loch Buie
plus a Hawfinch was at Calgary. 2013,
a Common (Scarlet) Rosefinch was found in a local garden
at Lochdon in May and a juvenile Red backed Shrike was at Dervaig
5th-14th September. (photo above)

Juv Red backed Shrike 5th-14th Sept 2013. Alan
Spellman

2014, 27th
Mayand
a Rustic Bunting made a brief appearance on Iona, a first ever record
for Mull of this Mega Rare bird, also two Hawfinch sightings were
recorded in May. A Comon (Scarlet) Rosefinch (f) in December
at Bunessan.

Some common 'mainland ' birds
are considered scare here on Mull, for example, Moorhen and Coot and we
have very few Tufted duck and Shoveler are very scarce. Magpie are
a 'rare' sight and Jays are scarce.

Resident breeding birds include
some of the most spectacular birds of prey like Golden Eagle, White-tailed
eagle, Merlin, Buzzard and Hen Harrier. We also have lots of singing Song
Thrushes and Skylarks, now becoming much scarcer on the mainland.The Isle of Mull is very
under recorded and your records are welcome. (see
latest reports page) All records are passed to the Argyll Bird
Club to be included in their annual bird report

Code of conduct for bird
watchers.
Points to remember:- Birds are protected and it is an offence to disturb
nesting birds, never point out the nest of a bird of prey. If you hear
distressed birds calling, retreat to a safer distance as you are probably
too close to a nest site or to young birds. Use your binoculars or scope
to get close to wildlife and birds.